Attachment for ladders



- Aug- 17, 1943.

F. D. RANDALL ATTACHMENT FOR LADDERS Filed Oct. 9, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FEED D. HAND/9L1.

A r702 NE Y5 Au 17, 1943. D. RANDALL 2,327,317

ATTACHMENT FOR LADDERS Filed Oct. 9, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FEED D. RANDALL A T TOR/Y E Y5 Patented Aug. 17, 1943 UNITED S A-ms eemm OFFICE 2,327,317 H "ATTACHFIENT-FOR'EADDERS in. .mmaau, Dayton, ohm

Aiipdtcatioh @iitbiir *9, 1941, serial No. new

" -14 Claims. wr'zze mr This irivrition relates 'tb an attachment ii o'r ladders which be ridilyettechd tofgu id 'd'etamed tram 'difiereriit sizes, at fledders 'siichfes thoe'e used foriie iriting 'buiid'ingsjfind theiike,

said maeemem beifig iirevided witne'djttame 7 meax'is serving lfirimiirlly 'twb pu'r'psles namely, met, "to brace er tyatmz the ladder wfh n the same is leanirig again t the Wilding e'r 'the inke; arid seo'nd, to crime thelddderto be .iids'itiofied in a Vertical postman the hidde'ris standmg b'n an manned; 'irr'gularbi' uneven urges.

In "the use ladders Iojr the ipaintih 16f bu ld.

fimes di'i'ficuit t Lst a'imjtiie le 'd'de'r in g -fic'jsitien convenient fbrfth'e bur-pdes of th'persjoh wcfikiri thereon. This s 'tfiie part cmapy whitenin part 6f the build g geiinstfii iiich the ladder is to he leaned comprises q curvedsurface er a cornice, Or w en it is desired to position the, top of the Ladder directly in frqnt of a window, The deviee 6f the present inver tiqr l cemprises "a ladde 'i' attachment -pr ovided iyith arms which are adjustably extensible laterally so "as to bridge a windew, cermce or the like te provide .a bearing for the ladder against the side of; the buiiding and yet hold away from the :part te be worked on. The devic of the present invention furthermore provides e means for 'givihg flafieraixsdbport for the ladder when it issle'an'ed "against either a flat or a. curved surface. 's'c as to *stabiiiz the iesdder when 'so positioned as well as to brace the iadder to prevefit tipping thereof which might otherwise result from the overbaItm'cmg effect pmduced when the wcrkman means r ieac hs to one side.

me device 0f the nvefitienrs' so 'ccristfiicted that the adjustable arms may is adjusted '56 its to provide "a level fdbtifig'fefthe l'a'dder to paid tion the same vertically Wi en the ladder i s st'ni ing on inclindoi uneven igrcundz 4 of one of the jdrms'dffthe FigiIreB a sectional taken the fine 3+3dfFigure1.' Figure 4 rs a .detailefi'viewi o afinddificiti'on of part of -the device shcwn in Figure ]1. w

Figure 5, is a 'sec'tierral View of the diite'x jend a ice shcwjfi'g "a, cintedsurface engagiiig 001; attac d h'efete,

Figure '7 is a side mew "of a mo flied icfrm 6f the attachment of my invr'ition showing SaIfr ie attached to ad-adder in a manrier to Support the ladderin vertical f sitian when suppc'rted on an inclined gro'u'fid surface. I I t r Figure 8 is "tdp planvflew or the rx io'di'fied form of the ladder attachment shown in Fig'iire '7, Figure 8 showingcthe attachment used to support the ladder relative to "a vertical surface a ainst which the laidderis tb be reamed.

Figures 9 and 10 are detail 'Vfi'ew' "of dried? the laterally adjustakile rms of 01'1" od rfied term or 'deviceefFigur'ef'l "aii'd 8, $1511 ng thxrreans for adjustab'ly securing the auxiliary arm thereto. we r v v New esc ibing the invfe'fitior in detail, the mime'farl ihdicate's the gfiles erjide pieces atnd.

the numera 2 theiu'ng s or a l'aldder to which the gttach'ment device pf the intntic'n ma be attached. The 'attzgchment deviceitself comprises a frame which embrace s the ladder consist'in g of 'a frame member 3 which 'p'fefeiabl'y is fdr'r'ned of square tubingbrack t's 4 and 5 secured in any desired manner to the frame memfa tdp pla'ri view or ajladagfftta ber 3 and engaging the outei 'sid, 0{f th'e ladder stiles I; and an adjustable cramping name {118111-- 136: 6 adjustabl'y secured to the brackets 1 Enid 5 as by mean of edits 1 ada ted tp extend through suitable apertures it; the clamping frame member 6. The bolts 1 ma be "secured t6 the brackets 4 and 5 in any 's litebi'e manner as' by means of weldin'g, or, as shown by bracket 4' in Figure 4, the brackets 4 and 5 maybe f orr'z ed with 'dn angled piece such -s lfdbrov'i'ded with an aperture 91 receiving the bolt 1" The frame member 15 may be. sclired en the bolts 1 or 1' loy n ieei'rl cf suitable w ng nuts 3 'shcwh.

One or "bcth cf the brackets 4 and {may be 4 M o m-Suc a hqb cke't 5, shewn in Figure Lend the side 5a of said brac lgetma y engage one ef therupge 2 free; aboye the eeme 9 r osi ic e, achm t YItia at to the ladder The sides. of bracket 5,; 1 e it1 1er ef h l fw ts. 4 .an 1 ;5, if c .U e a ed ac e used in both instances, will be spaced far enough apart so as to accommodate ladder stiles of various thicknesses. The brackets 4 and 5 will be spaced far enough apart to accommodate ladders of various Widths;

The clamping frame member 5 is provided with a laterally adjusting clamping bracket 9. For this purpose the clamping frame member 6 is formed with an elongated slot I9 which receives the bolt or stud I I of the bracket 9 which may be secured. in adjusted position relative to the frame member 6 by means of a wing nut I 2. The clamping bracket 9 is providedwith a lug I3 which also engages in the slot II] for properly positioning the bracket 9. The angled portion-9a of the bracket 9 is clampingly engageable with the inner side of one of the ladder stiles I.

Arms I4 and I5 are adjust'ably associated with the frame member 3 and said arms are provided with angled portions l4a and I5a which are preferably angled outwardly as seen best in Figure 1 and are preferably angled slightly upwardly as seen best in reference to Figure 2. The upward angling of the outer ends Ma and I5a of the arms is'to enable said portions of said arms to be positioned more nearly horizontally when the same engage the building against which the ladas indicated at 22 in Figure 6 which fit ever the ends of said arms.

A modification in reference to the adjustable arms I4 is shown by Figures 7, 8, 9, l construction. In this modification the arms I4 and I are likewise formed either square or of U channel shape similar to the arms I4 and I5 previously described, and the arms I4 and I5 are likewise receivable within the hollow, square tube frame member 3 to be clamped at various positions of adjustment relative thereto by means of the set screws I6 and II as described in reference to the arms I4 and I5. However, instead of having the angled portions I411 and I5a of the arms I4 and I5, the arms I4 and I5 are provided their ends with the adjustable arms 23 and 24.

der is to be positioned in View of the fact that the ladder will be somewhat inclined from vertical Whenso positioned; The arms I4 and I5 are preferably formed of U channel members or of square tub ng as seen best in Figure 3 so that the arms I 4 and I5 will not rotat relative to the frame member 3 when inserted therein "and clamped thereto by means of the clampingscrews I5 and I! which latter are suitably threaded through the frame member 3 so that the inner ends of' said screws may engage the arms I4 and'IE.

In attaching the deviceof the invention to a ladder. the nuts 8 may be removed from the b l s 1 to permit removal of clamping frame member 6 theref om, whereupon the dev ce is positioned so that the brackets 4 and 5 engage the outer sides of the stiles I and the inner side 5a of the bracket 5 may engage one of the rungs 2 above the same to vertically position the attachment relativeto the" ladder. The clamping frame member 6 may then be assembled on the bol s I and clamped up tightly againstlthe ladder stiles I and the clamp-, ing bracket 9 suitably adiusted into clampngengagement with the inner side of one of the ladder st les I. Thearrns I4 may then be laterally adjusted relative to the frame member 3 and clamped in the desi d position by means of the thumb screws I6 and II. g

If the surface against which the ladder is to be leaned includes a protrud ng curved surface such as indicated by the dotted line I8 in Figure l the arms, I4 may be'laterally adiusted so as to brid e this curved surface and en age with the straight wall indicated by the line IS in Figure 1. It will be apparent also that the arms I 4 and I5 may be adjusted suitably so that they will enga e the curved surface and yet provide'adequate lateral support-for the ladder.

As shown by Figure 5 the ends I 4a and I5a of the arms I4 and I5 may have inserted in their hollow outer ends foot members such as comprising a shank 2| suitably "received in the hollow outer ends of said arms "and provided with a point ZIai-or digging into the surface against which the arms are engaged to assist in preventing lateral movement of the ladder. Alternatively the outer ends Ida and I 5a of the arms I4 and I5 may be provided with 'rubberfeet such The arms I4 and I5 are formed at their ends with sleeve portions and 26 which receive respectively the arms 23 and 24. The sleeve portions 25 and 28 are providedwith set screws 21 and .28 respectively which engage in holes 23a and ij la provided at intervals throughout the length of the arms 23 and 24. The arms 23 and 24 may be provided with foot members 29 and 30 respectively which preferably may be flat on the bottom so as to provide adequate support when said foot members are resting upon the ground to position the ladder in vertical position or when said-foot members are resting against a vertical surface against which the ladder may be leaned. The members 29' and 30 are universally connected to their respective arms as by means of the ball and socket connection shown.

In the use of the attachment device shown in the modification in Figures'l, 8, 9, 10, the same may be attached to a ladder in the same way as described in reference to the construction of Figures l to 4 When it is desiredto lean the ladder against a wall which is irregular such as that indicated by the dotted line 3 I in Figure 8, the arm 23 will be adjusted relative to the arm I4 so as toengage one portion of the wall 3|, and the arm 24 will be difierentlyadjusted relative to the arm I5 to engage the protruding portion of the wall 3| whereby the width of the ladderwill be positioned parallel to when leaned against the wall 3I. Figure 8 also shows'how the device may be adjusted to position the ladder relative to a vertical wall 3Ia when the surface upon'which the ladderis standing, such as a sidewalk or the like, runs atvan angle or in a direction not parrallel tothe wall 3Ia against whichthe ladder is to be leaned.

While Fig. 8 shows the feet 29 and 30 parallel to the line 3 la, it will be understood that said feet are shiftable, due to their universal connection, into parallel relation to the particular surface, such as 3| or 3Ia, against which the ladder may be supported. l

When the device of the modification is desired to be used to support the ladder in vertical position on an inclined ground surfacesuch as indicated at 32 in Figure '7, all that is necessary to do is to remove. the arms- I4 and I5 from the the building frame'member 3 after unloosening the thumb and 3t wherebythe ladder may lac-positioned in vertical position while supported on the inclined groundsurfaceu- Thusit will be apparent. that the ladder at! tachment device of the modification of Figures 7 to '10 is useful for two purposes namely, to support the ladder against the side of a vertical well such as the side or a building or misuppontthe ladderv in vertical: position when standing on-in-. clined or irregular ground andto accommodate the device for the. performance of either 'ofthesc objects all that is necessary isto change the positioninsof the'armsyii and 16" relative to the square' tubing frame member 3 so that the arms 23 and 24 will. either be in a vertical, lwfi tion relative to the ladder, or in a horiz ntal Position relativetotheladder.v V

Except for the differences referred to, the modified constructiouof Figures 7 to is otherwise similar to the construction of Figures'l-fi,

and the parts correspondingly designated in the several figures are the same. It will be understood that the tubular frame member 3 may be clalmedi'mclaim 1, wherein the second means includes a pair of spaced bracket. members se-' cured to one of frame members, and'lthe swims. comprises a clamping bolt on' each of thefbmcket members, saidbolts extending throl'ish the other otsaid framemembers, and wherein one of said irame'members is provided with} longitudinal slot and said clamping member comprises an angle bracket, a clamping bolt thereon extending .thrwgh said slot, and alug on said bracket enguingmsaid slot;-

7. In a supp rting attachment for ladders; in combination. .a frame dctmhably securable to. a defand comprising a sleeve. adapted to extend transve s ly dime. .l ddcna pair of arms telescopinslv receivable in opposite ends .of1said slee e with-tbemds of. said arms. extendin themfmm,.meam to: adjusting the arms 'laterround rather than square a shown, but I prefer to make it with an internal angular configuration and to have the arms I4 and H: (as well as arms [4 and I5) of a fitting correspondingly angled configuration so as to insure against rotation of said arms relative to the frame member 3 when said arms are clamped in the desired adjusted position.

Having thus described my invention, and what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

. 1. In a supporting attachment for ladders, in combination, a frame detachably securable to a ladder and comprising opposing frame members adapted to extend transversely across the ladder, means for clampingly engaging said. members with the ladder from opposite directions, means on said members for engaging opposite sides of the ladder, and a clamping member adjustably associated with one of said frame members for clampingly engaging one of the ladder stiles in a direction opposed to the direction of engagement of said second means, and'a pair of arms adjustable relative to said frame laterally of said ladder for supporting the ladder relative to a surface against which said arms are engaged;

2. A supporting attachment for ladders as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second means includes a member engageable with a rung of the ladder.

3. A supporting attachment for ladders as,

claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means comprises a pair of spaced bracket members secured to one of said frame members and the first means comprises a clamping bolt on each of the bracket members, said bolts extending through the other of said frame members.

4. A supporting attachment for ladders as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said frame members is provided with a longitudinal slot, and said clamping member comprises an angle bracket, a clamping bolt thereon extending through said slot, and a lug on said bracket engaging in said slot. r

5. A supporting attachment for ladders as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means comprises a pair of spaced bracket members secured to one of the frame membeisone of said bracket members having a portion engageable with a rung of the ladder.

6. A supporting attachment for ladders as ally of the ladder; different fixed positions relative to fluid sleeve, an auxiliary arm associated with each of said first arms for movement in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of adjusting. movement of the first arms, and

' means for adjusting the auxiliary arms to different fixed positions transversely of the first arms, said first arms being adjustable relative to the sleeve to position the auxiliary arms in either a substantially vertical or a substantially horizontal position relative to the ladder.

8. In a supporting attachment for ladders, in combination, frame means detachably securable to a ladder and comprising opposing frame members adapted to extend transversely across the ladder, means for clampingly engaging said members with the ladder from opposite directions, 7

and means associated with said frame means for clampingly engaging one of the ladder styles in a direction transverse to the direction of clamping engagement of saidmembers, and a pair of arms adjustable relative to said frame means laterally of said ladder for supporting the ladder relative to a surface against which said arms are engaged.

9. In a supporting attachment for ladders, in combination, frame means detachably securable to a ladder and comprising opposing frame members adapted to extend transversely across the ladder, means for clampingly engaging said members with the ladder from opposite directions,

and means associated with said frame means for. clampingly engaging one of the ladder styles in a direction transverse to the direction of clamp? ing engagement of saidmembers, said last means comprising a clamping member adjustably associted with one of said frame members, and a pair of arms adjustable relative to said frame means laterally of said ladder for supporting the ladder relative to a surface against which said arms are engaged.

10. A supporting attachment for ladders as claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said means includes a member engageable with a rung of the ladder for vertically positioning the frame relati've to the ladder.

11. In a supporting attachment for ladders, in combination, frame means detachably securable to a ladder, a pair of arms associated with said means and laterally adjustable relative to a, ladder, said arms having portions extending from the same in a direction transverse to the direction of lateral adjusting movement, and said arms being adjustable to position said portions in either a substantially vertical or a substantially horizontal position relative to the ladder, whereby said arms may support the ladder relativeto. either a groundsurface orai substantially vertical surface." ,1 I u s 12. In a supporting attachment for ladders, in combination, frame means detachably securable to a, ladder, a-pair of arms laterally adjustable relative to said frame means, and-an auxilliary arm associated with each of said first arms and adjustable in a direction transverse to the direction of adjusting movement of the first arms, said first arms being adjustable relative to said frame means to position theauxiliary arms in either a substantially vertical 'or' a substantially horizontal position'relative to the ladder.

13. In a supporting attachment for ladders, in combination, frame means detachably securable to a ladder and comprising opposing frame members adapted to extend transversely across the ladder and 'clampingly engageable with the ladder from opposite directions, means associated with saidframe means for clampingly engaging one of theladder styles in a direction transverse to the direction of clamping engagement of said members, a pair of arms laterally adjustable relative to said frame means and an auxiliary arm associated witheach of said first arms and adjustable in a direction transverse to the direction of adjusting movement of the first arms, said first arms being adjustable relative to said frame means top'osition the auxiliary arms in either a substantially vertical or a substantially horizontal position relative to the ladder.

14; A- supporting attachment for ladders as claimed in claim 8, and members universally connected tothe outer ends of said arms and having surface engaging portions, whereby said last members will adapt themselves to difierently inclined surfaces against which the same are engaged.

- FRED D. RANDALL. 

